Weather strip device



May 7, 1940- J. c. RoGERs ET A1. 2,199,860 WEATHER STRIP DEVICE Filed Aug. 13, 1938 W .56 f f mvENToRs F768 Z4/was 6.' P06525 BY" JQMES E' @ossee 4 y "i v 55M@ A UNITD STATES E'PATENT QFFiCE WEATHER STRIP DEVICE James C'. Rogers and James F. Rogers, Rocky River, Ohio Application August 13, 193s, serial No. 224,764

comms. (o1. -68) This invention relates to weather ,strip devices, and more particularly to a device of this kind adapted to Abe attached to a door and having a sealing member which is automatically projected Uf; or retracted when the door is moved to closed or open position.

An object of our invention is to provide an improved weather strip device of this character, of simple and economical construction and which 10rcan be easily and quickly applied to a door or the like without need for special tools or unusual skill. Y

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved weather strip device having an elongated sealing member and an elongated flexible actuating `means therefor and in which such exible actuating means comprises connected sections, one of which is a spring of thev flexiblebar type.

20. A further object of our invention is to provide a weather strip device, of the type mentioned, 'in which a spring of the flexible-bar type is adapted to be deected for projecting the sealing member and .an elongated substantially rigid element serves to transmit thrust to the spring for deflecting the same.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improved construction for a weather strip device in which provision is made for obtaining 'Y a quiet operation of the device and for adjustment of the device in length to correspond with the width of the door to which it is to be applied.

Our invention may be further briefly summarized as consisting in certain novel combination and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and particularly set out in the appended claims;

In the accompanying sheet of drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing a door having our improved weather strip device attached thereto adjacent'its lower edge.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the device showing the same with a portion of the casing broken away and with the sealing member in its extended position.

Fig. 3 is a side view similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing the sealing member in its retracted position.

5 Fig. 4 isa transverse sectional View taken throughthe device as indicated by line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a partial side View of the device showing the same on a larger scale than in Fig. 2

515 and with the casing broken awayto show `the relative positions of the parts when the sealing member is in its extended position.

Fig. k6 is another transverse sectional view of the device taken as indicated by line 6-6 of Fig. 3. 5

Fig. 7 is .a detached perspective view showing one of the end plates.

Fig. 8 is an end view of the device showing the same applied to a door and with an end plate in position on the casing, and

Fig. 9 is a partial transverse sectional view taken through the striker plate and adjacent end of our weather strip device, as indicated by line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

We will now proceed witha more detailed 15 description of our weather strip device, but in so doing it should be understood that' although we have illustrated but one embodiment thereof, our invention may be embodied in various other forms and constructions for simil-ar devices com- 20 ing within the scope of the appended claims.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing we show our weather strip device IIB mounted on a door II adjacent the vlower edge thereof and extending for substantially the full width of the door. As will 25 be presently explained more in detail our weather strip device is of the type having a casing I2 constructed to provide a slot-like opening along the lower edge thereof and having an elongated sealing member I3 contained in the casing and 30 adapted to be automatically projected therefrom, as the door moves to its closed position, for sealing the crack or opening between the lower edge of the door and the floor or threshold.

As shown in the drawing, the casing I2 may 35 be an elongatedsheet metal structure of U-like cross-sectional shape having substantially parallel side walls I 4. The casing may be formed by bending a strip of sheet metal to the U-like form shown in Fig. 6, thus providing a main cas- 40 ing structure which is open at its ends and has a slot-like opening I5 extending along its lower edge. The casing can be adjusted as to length and the ends of the casing may be closed or substantially closed by means of the casing sections 45 or end plates Idand I1 which will be described more fully hereinafter.

The sealing member I3 may comprise a packing strip I8 of suitable resilient material, such as felt, sponge rubber or the like, and a holder or channel strip I9 in which the packing strip is mounted. The channel strip I9 may be a sheet metal member of U-like form having the upper edge of the packing strip I8 extending thereinto and which grips or otherwise holds the packing strip. The sealing member I3 extends for the full length of the casing I2, except for slight clearance spaces at its ends and is freely movable in the casing, so that it can be project- 5 ed through the slot-like opening I5 thereof, as

shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 or can be retracted into the casing, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6.

For actuating the sealing member I3 to thus project or retract the same, we provide actuating means of simple and economical construction and which embodies a minimum number of parts. As shown in the drawing, this actuating means may comprise an elongated spring 20 of the flexible-bar type, a rigid element 2| and a push rod 22. The elongated spring 20 extends longitudinally in the casing and normally l acts to retract the sealing member thereinto. This spring is adapted to be deflected transversely thereof by motion transmitted thereto by the rigid element or link 2| to thereby cause the sealing member to be projected from the casing.` 'I'his spring may be of any suitable construction, such as the transversely flexible channel-shaped *l bar shown in this instance, although a exible solid or flat bar could be used. The spring preferably has openings or eyes .at the ends thereof so that its remote end 23 can be anchored on the casing as by means of a transverse pin 24 ex- Ntending therethrough and its end adjacent the push rod 22 can be pivotally connected with the rigid element 2| by means of .a transverse pivot pin 26.

' The rigid element 2|, which serves as a thrust member and also supports the sealing member I3, may be an elongated bar or lever which has its outer end connected with the inner end of the push rod 22 as by means of a pivot pin 28 and its inner end 2Q connected with the sealing member by means of a pivot pin 30.

415'I straddles the channel strip I9 of the sealing member I3. The channel-like construction for the element 2| also facilitates the connection of the spring 2B and the push rod 22 therewith, because the ends of these members can be readily inserted into the channel recess of the element.

The push rod 22 may be a substantially rigid metal bar of round or other desired cross section, which projects from the end of the casing I2 to provide an actuating part adapted to engage a striker plate 3| mounted on the door frame. To improve the operation of our weather strip device we prefer to provide the outer end of the push bar 22 with a small roller or sheave 32 which engages and traverses the striker 3| v when the door approaches its closed position.,

The push bar 22 maybe supported and guided during its longitudinal movement in the casing by any suitable means, such as the longitudinally spaced pins 33 which extend transversely of the casing.

In the operation of our improved weather strip device the roller 32 enga-ges the striker 3| as the door I l approaches its closed position causing in- 4ward movement of the push rod 22. Such inward movement of the push rod is transmitted directly to the adjacent end of the spring 2|) by the rigid element 2| causing the spring to be bowed or deected downwardly to the position Ashown. in Fig. 2. Thisbowing or deflecting of 7s* the spring 2D causes the inner end of the ele- For economy of 4'0"Y construction the element 2| may be formed from ment 2| to be shifted downwardly in the casing, thereby projecting the sealing member through the slot-like opening I6 to its extended position shown in Figs. l, 2 and 5. When the door starts its opening movement the roller 32 disengages the striker 3|, whereupon the spring 26 returns to a substantially straight condition, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby lifting the sealing member and retracting the same into the casing. The straightening of the spring 20 also lifts the element 2| and causes the push rod 22 to be projected from the end of the casing. Since the sealing member I3 is supported at only a single point, that is, by the pivot pin 3|) which is at or adjacent its midpoint, it willbe seen that the sealing member can rock about this pivot pin and will be able to adjust itself to floor irregularities while being projected from the casing.

For controlling the deection of the spring 20, as well as to support and positionvthe same in the casing, we mayprovide a support at an intermediate point of the spring, such as the pin 35 which extends transversely of the casing. The' use of this pin improves the action of the spring" and enables the same to cooperate withI thev ele-Y' ment 2| in supporting and moving the sealing member I3.

As shown in Figs. '1 and 8, thecasing sections or` end plates I6 and I1 may be ofy sheet metal construction and each may have a hook-like iiange 36 along the top edge and a right-angle flange 31` at the outer end. The endlvilange 31 preferablyV does not join the top ange 36 but terminates short thereof, leaving a space or opening` 38 for accommodating the push rod 22.

In mounting our weather strip device on a door` the end plates I6 and I1 are rst applied to ends of the main casing in the'proper order andY the assembly is then placed against the door and attached thereto by vthe screws 40. When the end plates I6 and I1 are applied to the ends'of the casing I2, the flanges 36 and 31 of the plates engage the top and end edges of the casing asv shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 8. When the plates are thus applied to the casing the flanges 31 extend: transversely of the casing and form closures for the casing of our weather strip device and, for

this purpose one of the end plates,- in this instance the end plate I1, is shiftable. To permit shifting of this end plate we make the corresponding openings in the side walls of the main casing in the form of slots 43, so that the end plate and its attaching screw may be shifted longitudinally of the casing to bring the end ange 31 substantially iiush with the edgeof the door. Since doors frequently vary half an inch or more in width, we iind it desirable to constructthe cas-v ing l2 a little shorter lthan the standard door widthand to adjust the end plate I1 out to the edge of the door inthe manner just explained..

In this way it is possible to avoid cutting of the casing l2 and to still have the installed device correspond exactly with the width of the door by merely trimming the sealing member to proper length and adjusting the end plate I1. The

screws extend thereasf door, as well as to provide for mounting ofV the device on either sideof the door, it would ordinarily be necessary to construct these devices ofv both right and left hand form. This would require duplication of tools and the stocking of a larger number of the completed devices. To overcome these disadvantages we construct our weather strip device soV that it is suitable for either right or left hand mounting on the door and can be adapted for such right orA left hand use, by means of the above mentioned end plates I 6 and I1. These end plates or casing sections are made in pairs, that is to say, a set of two such plates comprises one right hand plate and one left hand plate.

To eliminate noise in the operation of our weather strip device, such as might otherwise result from engagement of the metal channel strip I9 against the bushings 42 during the retracting of the sealing member, we provide cushioning or bumper elements 43 on these bushings. These cushioning elements may be bushings formed of rubber or other suitable resilient material and which surround the metal bushings 42.

It will be observed that the extent which the sealing member I3 is projected from the casing depends upon the travel imparted to the push rod 22 and is not necessarily fixed as in the case of certain weather strip devices which employ cams for projecting the sealing member. To provide for variation in the outward movement of the sealing member, we construct the striker plate 3| so that its position relative to the adjacent end of the weather strip device III can be adjusted. Preferably, the striker is made' of sheet metal and is curved to provide better cooperation with the roller of the push rody and also to permit bending toward or from the device IU for adjustment of the extent of outward movement of the sealing member I3. When the free flange 44 of the striker is bent away from the door frame and toward the device I0, by means of a suitable tool, it will cause greater travel of the push rod 22 and the `sealing member I3 will be projected `farther as the door moves to its closed position.

On the other hand, if the flange 44 of the striker is bent to a setting closer to the door frame, the outward movement of the sealing member will be less.

From the foregoing description and the aoco-mpanying drawing it will now be readily seen that we have provided an improved weather strip device which can be easily applied to the lower edge of a door without need for special tools or unusual skill. It will also be seen that our weather strip device comprises a minimum number of parts and, therefore, can be economically manufactured and assembled. The flexible actuating means which we provide for projecting and retracting the sealing member insures smooth, quiet and positive actuation of the sealing member.

While we have illustrated and described our improved weather strip device in a somewhat To provide for detailed manner, it will be understood, of course, that we do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction and arrangements of parts herein disclosed, but regard our invention as including such changes and modifications as do not constitute a departure from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention we claim:

l. In a weather strip device, an elongated casing having a slot-'like opening, an elongated sealing member f in the casing adapted to be projected through said opening, and operating means for the sealing member comprising a push rod projecting from the casing and an elongated exible member connected adjacent its respective ends with the casing and the push rod and connected at an intermediate point thereof with said sealing member, said flexible member comprising sections connected with each other one of which is rigid and adapted for combined swinging and longitudinal bodily shifting in the casing and the other of which is a spring of the flexiblebar type adapted to be bowed by longitudinally acting thrust.

2. In a weather strip device, an elongated casing, an elongated sealing member movable therein, a push rod projecting from the casing, a bar spring extending longitudinally in the casing, and a rigid element extending between the push rod and the adjacent end of the springr and also having an operating connection with the sealing member, said rigid element being swingable in the casing and also bodily shiftable longitudinally of the latter to cause bowing of the spring and actuation of the sealing member.

3. In a weather strip device, an elongated casing having a slot-like opening, an elongated sealing member in the casing adapted to be projected through said opening, and operating means connected with the sealing member comprising a push rod movable in the casing and projecting from one end thereof, a spring cf the flexible-bar type extending longitudinally in the casing and connected therewith at a point adjacent the other end of the casing, and a rigid element extending between said push rod and the adjacent end of the spring and adapted forA combined swinging and longitudinal bodily shifting in the casing to transmit motion for flexing the spring in a direction to project said sealing member from the casing.

\ 4. In a weather strip device, an elongated casing having a slot-like opening, an elongated sealing member in the casing adapted to be projected through said opening, and operating means for the sealing member comprising a push rod movable in the casing and projecting therefrom, a spring of the flexible-bar type extending longitudinally in the casing and connected adjacent rits remote end with the casing, an elongated rigid element having one end connected with said push rod and its other end in engagement with said spring for transmitting thrust thereto, said rigid element being swingable relative to the push rod and also bodily shiftable longitudinally of the casing to cause bowing of the spring in response to said thrust, and means connecting the sealing member with said other end of the rigid element.

5. In a weather strip device, an elongated casing, an elongated sealing member movable therein, a push rod projecting from the casing, a bar spring'extending longitudinally in the casing, and a rigid element extending between the push rod and the adjacent end of the spring for transmitting thrust to the latter, said rigid element having pivotal connection with said push rod for combined swinging and longitudinal bodily shifting in the casing in responseto movement of the push rod and also having a forked portion at its inner end straddling the sealing memberadjacent its longitudinal midpoint. v

6. In a weather strip device, an elongated casing, an elongated sealing member movable therein, a push rod projecting from the casing, a bar spring extending longitudinally in the casing', a rigid element extending between the push rod and the adjacent end of the spring for transmitting thrust to the latter and also having an operating connection with the sealing member, said rigid element comprising a link having pivotal connection with the push rod and adapted for both swinging and longitudinal bodily shifting in the casing,- and a supporting means; engaging;

the spring at an intermediate point thereof.

7. In a Weather strip device, a casing,-a,sealing member movable therein, hollow elements on the casing adapted to accommodate attaching devices,

and resilient bumper means on the ho1lowelements adapted to be engaged by the sealing mem,- ber.

member movable therein, metal bushings extending transversely of the casing and adapted to accommodate attaching devices, and bushings of resilient material surrounding said metal bush ings for cushioning the engagement of said seal-,.

8. In a weather strip device, a casing, a sealingv 

